Opportunity

Tender for the Supply and Installation of a High Dimensional Spatial Biology Platform to the University of Birmingham

  • THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

F02: Contract notice

Notice reference: 2023/S 000-014823

Published 24 May 2023, 3:08pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

EDGBASTON

BIRMINGHAM

B152TT

Contact

Kseniya Samsonik

Email

k.samsonik@bham.ac.uk

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKG31 - Birmingham

Companies House

RC000645

Internet address(es)

Main address

www.birmingham.ac.uk

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

www.in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofbirmingham/aspx/Home

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

www.in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofbirmingham/aspx/Home

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

one.5) Main activity

Education


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Tender for the Supply and Installation of a High Dimensional Spatial Biology Platform to the University of Birmingham

Reference number

SC11656/23

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

two.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

two.1.4) Short description

The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply of a high-dimensional spatial multiomics platform. This will form part of the advanced histology services offered by Birmingham Tissue Analytics (BTA), a University of Birmingham research facility. BTA already provides complex multi-parameter immuno-histochemical tissue imaging and spatial transcriptomics platforms academic, clinically focused, and industry-linked work streams (www.birmingham.ac.uk/birmingham-tissue-analytics). This spatial multi-omics platform should build on BTAs current capabilities and capacity, particularly with regards to high dimensional protein and gene expression analysis at subcellular analytical resolution.

This project may be funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) or;

- European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) or;

- Research Councils UK (RCUK), the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 33110000 - Imaging equipment for medical, dental and veterinary use
  • 38510000 - Microscopes

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKG31 - Birmingham

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply of an imaging platform capable of delivering spatial high parameter, multi-omic data in single cell resolution. This platform will be operated by Birmingham Tissue Analytics (BTA), a University of Birmingham spatial biology facility.

General characteristics

BTA specialises in the delivery of high dimensional imaging data across a range of spatial biology platforms (Leica Bond RX, Akoya Mantra, Akoya PhenoImager HT, Lunaphore COMET, Nanostring GeoMx). The intention for the platform that is the subject of this tender would be to expand our existing capabilities, particularly with regards to the number of markers per slide (ideally in excess of 80 targets), our capacity for profiling RNA expression in human tissue samples and our ability to deliver multiple projects simultaneously across academic and industry collaborations.

Specifications

1) An analytical platform capable of providing hyperplex imaging more than 80 targets per slide.

2) Capability to analyse FFPE tissue samples, and frozen tissue.

4) An end-to-end hyperplex solution that encompasses staining and imaging.

5) A platform that facilitates whole slide imaging due to existing constraints within our multiplex platforms.

6) Pre-validated reagent kits for protein/RNA profiling would be highly advantageous due to the service delivery basis for which the platform utilised which limits the feasibility of extensive panel validations across multiple projects.

7) A benchtop platform that could be accommodated on standard laboratory benching due to space constraints in the facility.

8) An imaging platform for which there is evidence of a level of throughput that meet demands of our workload (ideally 10-20 projects per year, projects typically demand 10-20 sections)

8) A platform that provides imaging data that is accessible to a range of image analysis software, in particular Visiopharm, which we have already invested in as a facility and for which we have existing analysis workstreams.

After sales services

• We expect a swift and high quality remote and on-site technical support for the length of the instrument warranty as well additional service contracts we might purchase.

• A training package must be provided for a group of users.

• We expect the suppliers to provide us with educational resources and services dedicated to our instrument configuration.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Compliance to the Specifications / Weighting: 40

Quality criterion - Name: After Sales and Technical back up / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Delivery and Training / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Sustainability and Environmental / Weighting: 5

Quality criterion - Name: Standard Supplier Questionnaire (SQ) / Weighting: 10

Price - Weighting: 25

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Start date

14 July 2023

End date

31 July 2023

This contract is subject to renewal

No

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Open procedure

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date

23 June 2023

Local time

11:59am

four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English

four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders

Date

23 June 2023

Local time

12:00pm


Section six. Complementary information

six.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: No

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

University of Birmingham

Birmingham

Country

United Kingdom